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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



Olariipljnnia 



A SELECTION OF POEMS 



By GEORGE R. WITTE 



Distributins Agency 

THE BOOKSTORE 

East Northfield, Mass. 






rs-v 



Copyright, 1909, by George R. Witte 
Northfield, Mass. 



iwo tioules tteteuTii 

MAY 28 i!^J9 J 



To the memory of 

Sobrrt S. Mrlurnrg 

for many years the beloved General Secretary of the 

Young Men's Christian Association 

in the city of New York, 

a connoisseur and lover of devotional lyrics, 

the remembrance of whose friendship 

and tender regard will remain a 

sweet fragrance in the realm of personal recollections, 

this volume is affectionately dedicated 

by the Author 



The verses contained in this collection do not pretend 
to be anything else than a reverberation of the ' ' sounds 
of the heart," as the name implies. 

They were written for the most part during a period 
of protracted isolation in the British Guiana wilderness. 
Not a few of the verses are the direct outgrowth of the pecu- 
liar restraint then imposed on me by being left without a 
single white companion, without means of communication, 
and seemingly forgotten even by those whose earlier en- 
thusiasm in a new missionary enterprise had not been 
equal to the test of disappointment and misfortune. 

What seemed a disaster to them (and at the time to 
myself also) proved in the end a great personal blessing, 
for the very helplessness of the situation drove me to a far 
deeper sense of conscious dependence on God than I had 
ever before possessed. 

" 'Twas then there came to me a song " 

and if its reproduction at this time shall prove of help and 
encouragement to any fellow pilgrim, no one will be more 
grateful for the outcome than — 

The Author. 



^flttg 



"Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord." 
Psalm 138 : 5 



"O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good — 
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so." — Psalm loy: i, 2 

The soul which has in it no song 

Is to be pitied, for in it is wanting 
A precious chord, which lifts man from the throng 

Of hapless malcontents, who in their gloom are taunting 
That life reflects but ill the rulership divine. 

The oil of joy as truly comes from God 
As any gift He grants. Then why should we repine 

Instead of making Praise our pleasant daily lot ? 



*• i^utg Jortli tl|0 ^mxir of ^xb Name " 

Psalm 66 : 2 

There's a song in my soul, which I gladly would sing 

If I knew how to frame it in words, 
But like music, which latent lies hid in the string 

Will never sound forth, till the chords 
By the artist are struck, who the instrument knows, 

The song in my heart must be hid 
Until touched by the Master, the melody flows 

When my soul by His flame has been lit. 

There's a song in my soul, its vibrations I feel 

While its echoes sweet melody make. 
And gladly, like chimes which send heav'nwards their peal 

My song, too, its journey shall take. 
What's the theme of my song ? Could it anything be 

But God and His wonderful love ? 
In all this wide world naught is dearer to me 

Nor more worthy my heart-strings to move. 

There's a song in my soul, and how gladly I send 

That song as an anthem of praise 
On the wings of the air, that its voice may ascend 

Till it reach to the throne of His grace. 
Go forth then, my carol, thou art sent with a prayer 

That a blessing to some one thou prove, 
If any thou findest who are heavy with care 

Then their sorrow help thou to remove. 



Psalm ji8 : 14 

The Lord God is my strength and song, 

At times my spirit sinks and quaileth 
Before the enemy. He seems so bold and strong 

That, when I need it most, my courage faileth. 
'Tis then I turn to God and plead my need — 

I feel His strength return, while yet I cry;" 
I realize Jehovah is indeed 

A present help, so strong, so true, so nigh. 

'Tis then returns to me a song — 

While fear reigned I could do no singing — 
My care grows less, the nights appear less long, 

The pains of sorrow surely are less stinging ; 
When faith in God again my soul refills 

Then songs of praise once more re-echo there, 
The storms, which madly raged, my Saviour stills, 

Hope reappears and life again seems fair. 

O what a precious gift is song. 

Inspired by God, from heav'n transplanted 
To cheer the faint, our spirits to make strong 

When in the fight one's courage has been daunted. 
It helps to voice the shouts of grateful praise 

When by His grace the victory is won 
And in the hearts of wounded ones to raise 

New hope and trust in the Unfailing One. 

13 



Psalm iig : 64 

The earth, O Lord, is with Thy mercy filled, 

Thy loving-kindness gleams o'er land and sea, 

The dew, each blade of grass bears fresh distilled 
At rise of sun, serves as a proof to me 

Of Thine unending, all embracing love. 

Which makes the world in symmetry to move. 

Each tiny flow'r, on opening its bud 

To shed sweet fragrance on the morning air, 

The birds, which circle o'er a peasant's hut. 
Who by their notes a grateful tribute bear. 

All strive to tune my soul and make it raise 
Like nature, an exultant hymn of praise. 

Should I stay dumb with music all around? 

The world itself appears to me a song ! 
From ev'ry hill God's praise seems to resound 

All nature wrapt in glee, the whole day long ; 
Then let me too join in full gratitude, 

Please God, my song shall be Eternity's prelude. 



15 



3pratB0 



Sing praises unto His name, for it is pleasant. 
Psalm ijs •' 3 



** ®I|0 Unirp of U?;otrin0 txnh Bnlvntxan 3(a m 
ttj0 ©abfrnarb of tijp Uigljtfnua" 

Psalm ii8 : ij 

Rejoicing and Salvation — the two are fitly linked 

As Mercy is with Truth ; 
A bird, once more let out, by freedom skywards winged, 
Needs none to stir its muse ; 
It gladly flutes its strain 
Of grateful song above 
And as it soars it gains 
New melodies of love. 

Thus with the prisoner, for whom at last the door 

Of freedom opens wide, 
He walks a new-born man through forest, glen and moor, 
Life never seems more bright. 
And as he draws the breath 

Of glorious liberty 
No longer stays suppressed 
The half-forgotten glee. 

When Zion's captives came, their soul was steeped in mirth 

And laughter filled their mouth, 
They had not yet forgot the homeland of their birth 
Nor yet God's holy house ; 

While in their bondage-days 

Their songs died in the throat. 
How beauteous the lays 

Which now they sang to God. 



And we whom God has saved, have we not cause to sing? 

Why then remain we mute? 
Should we not freely, too, our gladsome tribute bring 
With timbrel, harp and flute? 
At least let our frail voice 

His wondrous grace proclaim. 
In God let us rejoice 
And bless His holy name. 



20 



Psahn ijo : 6 

Let ev'ryone who draws his breath 

Join in an anthem to the Lord ; 
The angels sing, nevertheless 

God does appreciate the chord 
Of humbler song, which men can touch 

If with sincerity they come, 
Those grander notes we too shall reach 

When we have entered heaven's home. 

That keener sense, which some of old 

Seem to have had, led them to see 
Some beauties, now but rarely told, 

How nature is a symphony. 
To them each star conveyed a note 

Of benediction to the Lord, 
From ev'ry cloud there seemed to float 

A call that God should be adored. 

How sad, that some have come to be 

So dull in spirit and in heart 
That service seems a parody 

And often the essential part 
Is absent from our thought and song, 

The uttered words are empty sound 
And while we praise God with our tongue 

Our minds with worldly thoughts abound. 

21 



Let us return to former ways 

And tune again our hearts to bring 
In fervent words and simple lays 

True worship to our Saviour- King; 
May it be our concern each morn 

To voice God's wondrous righteousness, 
Then, when the day has downwards worn. 

There'll be more cause the Lord to bless. 



i>0tt9a of Seltupranr?" 

Psalm 32 : y ' 

Encompassed with songs of deliv'rance 

My soul is replete with a joy 
Which the world neither giveth nor taketh, 

Which is free from debasing alloy ; 
Neither time nor events may corrode it, 

As the days go, it seems to increase, 
For its well-spring is Jesus, my Saviour, 

And the gift, which He left me, God's peace. 

Encompassed with songs of deliv'rance 

how light is the task of each day, 
All the fretting concerning the future 

By that song has been taken away; 
For if God gave His Son as a ransom 

To extinguish my guilt in His blood, 
Would He ever withhold any blessing 

Which He knew would conduce to my good? 

Encompassed with songs of deliv'rance 

1 need fear neither danger nor foes. 
Sufficient for me the assurance 

That my Saviour the way fully knows. 
For the needs of each hour He will always 

With fresh grace and new strength me endue 
And my Lord's so abundant deliv'rance 

I shall daily experience anew. 



** M^ ^0ul, Matt (Ulioit ©ttlg upon (goli " 

Psalm 62 : j-y 

When darkly round thee threat'ning clouds are low'ring, 

The way seems lost, no guide to lead thee on, 
The sense of unseen danger sets thee cow'ring. 

Thou feel'st thyself forsaken and alone. 
Then, soul belov'd, with what of faith remaineth 

Reach out to God, thy only help and stay, 
When all thy hope and expectation waneth 

Cast not thy trust in Jesus Christ away. 

He only is " my rock and my salvation," 

Thus David sang — long centuries ago — 
Who counts the throng, that speak in confirmation 

Of David's faith and how they came to know 
That God a refuge is, a rock of strength, a tower, 

A sure defence, a help in present need, 
In time of storm a safely shelt'ring bower, 

A light upon life's way, a guide to straying feet? 

Wait on the Lord, as one waits for the dawning 

With quiet assurance, that the shades of night 
Will rise and vanish in the blithesome morning, 

Depend on it, Jehovah guides thee right. 
God is not man, — He errs not in His measures, 

Makes no mistakes in either time or place, 
There is no limit to His might and treasures 

As there is none to His abounding grace. 



" Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds." 
Psalm 36 : 5 



Jeremiah ji : j 

" I have loved thee with an everlasting love." 

How can I ever with my finite mind 

Gauge to its depth so rich, so marvelous a thought? 

It is past comprehension — yet as evident 

As are the laws of nature, which hedge me about 

Though I scarce know their working, nor their cause. 

" I have loved thee," a message from God's heart! 

What ecstasy of joy, what rapture to the soul 

Which but for love and God's sustaining grace 

Would make swift shipwreck on life's hidden rocks. 

Here do I find safe anchorage, — my God's unchanging love 

Supplies me with a firm and stable ground 

From which I can defy the storms of time 

And stand unshaken by the blasts of ill 

Which may shriek round me, but prove powerless 

To separate me from my God's omnipotence. 

" An everlasting love" — timeless in its beginning 
And time-outlasting, as is God Himself, 
Unfluctuating too — not changing as does man's, 
Now in its fervor — now, still worse, in very aim ; 
God's love remains the same, its outflow has no limit, 
If seemingly, at times there comes a break 
It is as when the earth turns on its axis 
Away from sunlight — then the night grows cold 
And yet the sun shines not one whit the less. 

29 



What then should be my pray'r? Not that the Father's 
Great loving heart should keep its rhythmic beat, — 
It does, nor can it ebb, but that I constantly 
Might have an unobstructed view of Him 
And of His love, and find therein my peace. 



30 



Isaiah 6j : g 

He bare them. 
As with eagles when the brood 
Is still unable by themselves to fly, 
The mother-bird will stretch her wings beneath 
And lift again the all-too-heavy load 
Of such as fall when first they try 
To brave the Alpine mountain-breeze. 

He bare them. 
As a mother does her bairn 
When it for refuge flies unto her breast 
And nestles there, securely hid and warm. 
If never yet thou hadst a chance to learn 
What true love is, — go and be blest 
By watching babe in mother's arm. 

He bare them. 
Yea, — the Scripture plainly says 
That God hath borne His own in times of old 
And carried them on everlasting arms. 
No less to-day than in the ancient days 
He does to man His love unfold 
And keeps His own from all that harms. 



He bears us. 
Why? — Because a promise made 
By the eternal God stands ever sure. 
Though heav'n and earth may pass, His word abides 
And thereon is our sure foundation laid: 
Unchanging shall His love endure 
When nothing else shall last besides. 



32 



"3( litUl?UilI|©I|^e*' 

Isaiah 4.J : i-j 

When thou passest through the waters, 

God, the Lord, shall be with thee. 
If at times the turmoil gathers, 

Through the dark thou canst not see- 
Then remember thou art precious 

To thy God, whose loving will 
Rules in stormy days as gracious 

As it does when all is still. 

Rivers may be madly roaring. 

Yet they shall not overflow, 
Blackest clouds seem darkly lowering 

Striking terror, as they grow. 
Wildest tempests may be breaking 

By which faith is sorely tried, 
But to end thy fear and waking 

Christ shall come at morning light. 

Even though thy walk at seasons, 

Be through trials long and fierce. 
For which God's intent and reason 

A deep mystery appears — 
Thou shalt see, that in the furnace 

God will be thy unseen stay. 
Granting thee the sweetest solace 

For whate'er He takes away. 



" I, the Lord, am thy Redeemer, 

I have bought thee, thou art mine ; ' 
Let these words dispel thy tremor, 

Thy position they define: 
Thou belong'st to Him forever, 

He will keep thee to the end, 
And no enemy can sever 

Him, whom God holds in His hand. 



34 



"Olljg ^xpntmm g>I|aU ^^ot 1p Olut (iff" 

Proverbs 24 : 14 

My expectation is from Him. 

If not from God, whence should help be? 
Where, when my bark is wrecked, can I retrim, 

Where find a haven of security? 
The world's poor comfort will not then avail, 

The truest friendship mute with sorrow stands. 
All earthly help, if tendered, would but fail, 

But nevermore the power of His hands. 

My expectation is through Him, 

If not through Christ, how should I find 
My way to God, whose holiness we deem 

Of right to bar out sinful humankind? 
How could I hope for access to the King, 

Enthroned in glory in such wondrous light? 
To there present my cause, whom could I bring 

If not the One who for my ransom died? 

My expectation is in Him, 

If not in Him, what should I have? 
What were this life, if to the very brim 

Of Jordan's flood, my soul were doomed to crave 
Yet never satisfy the inborn thirst 

For conscious fellowship with God, my Lord? 
This precious gift — if I possess that first 

I have more than ten thousand worlds afford. 



Jprag^r 



" Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense." 
Psalm i^i : 2 



" (^xxtt Ear unto M^ 'Baitt, Wl^m 3 (dry nnta SI|f p " 

Psabn 141 : i 

My prayer, Lord, though it be weak and halting 

May it as incense come before Thy throne. 
Thy canopy is space — and all around Thee vaulting 

Are emblems of Thy might ; — hence we are prone 
To contemplate with sacred awe Thy power 

To think Thee fixed in some far-distant place, 
Self-centred there and scarce disposed to shower 

Thy blessings on mankind, a fallen, sinful race. 

If such Thou wert, man's prayer would seem presumptuous ; 

Where lies our help? — We know Thee not alone 
As our Creator-God, to whom nor sumptuous 

Appear His gifts, nor are they ever done 
To satisfy a whim. With true paternal love 

Thou car'st for each, — " Our Father" is the name 
Which Thy dear Son has taught, when He came from above 

To demonstrate Thy grace and bear our sin and shame. 

As children then we come and bring our fretting, 

Our anguish, care or dread, to ask our Father's aid. 
In His caress, how soon we learn forgetting, 

How trustingly our head on His arm may be laid; 
We know a Father's heart with love o'erfloweth 

And rather grants, than would His help deny. 
Therefore His child can trust — nay, more — it knoweth 

If aught be for its good, God ne'er rejects the cry. 



Psahn iig : j2 

" Enlarge my heart," 

The psalmist said of old ; 

May I not pray the same? 

I find his counterpart 

In mine own self and cold 

Appears my life. The flame 
Which once in me so brightly burned 
Few embers only mark its former glow, 
Once even grief to hallowed joy was turned 
While now I shrink from ev'ry chilling blow. 

"Enlarge my heart," 

Restore the former faith 

With its quiet blessedness, 

My God, and do impart 

Anew a taste of all Thy grace 

And loving tenderness. 
How full of joy have been my days 
When trustingly my hand was laid in Thine, 
When I sought but Thy will and left my ways 
Entirely to Thy choice, what peace was mine. 

" Enlarge my heart," 
O God, fill me with love 
Which shall grow cold no more. 
With love gone, life is hard — 
Dark clouds will slowly move 
Faith's vision to spread o'er. 

41 



The peace which once dwelt in my heart 
And in it ruled with its benignant sway, 
Restore it, Lord, and I shall ne'er depart 
Forevermore from Thine own chosen way. 

"Enlarge my heart," 

Implant anew a hope 

To cheer and lead me on ; 

While struggling heavenward 

Though I may faint and grope 

I shall not feel alone. 
While I this star shall keep in sight, 
While faith and love and hope burn in my breast 
I care not what may come, I have a Light 
To guide me and to keep my soul at rest. 



42 



Psahn iig : iiy 

Hold Thou me tip, my God, for I am weak. 

The night is dark and I am apt to stray ; 
If not from Thee, where should I guidance seek? 

Who like Thyself knows all my destined way? 
Who can direct me when the landmarks fail. 

When heavy stormclouds hide the stars from view. 
When hidden pitfalls make my spirit quail 

And there is naught my courage to renew? 

Hold Thou me up, when at the journey's end 

I reach the river with its untried deep ; 
How shall I cross, if not Thy gracious hand 

Shall lift me through the current's angry sweep? 
The aid of friendship and of human love, 

However stanch and true, there it must cease, 
There is no guide, save but the One above ; 

With Him to steer, I cross in perfect peace. 



43 



in tt|P iioriting " 

Psalm 143 : 8 

Cause me to hear Thy loving-kindness, 

Most gracious God, while yet the day is young 

Before disquiet and work cause spirit-blindness 
And dull my sense and then remain unsung 

The hymn, which ought spontaneously to rise 

Like hallowed incense at each morning sacrifice. 

Each bird, at sunrise, when it raises 

Its chirping note of glee, does it not call 

On me to join with it in joyful praises 

To God, who notes a hapless sparrow's fall? 

I, who can think, am I of love so void 

That nature's melodies awaken no delight? 

Forgive me, God, for thus appearing 

As though true gratitude my heart not knew, 

My care distracted me — I needed cheering — 
Instead of praying I despondent grew, 

When in that frame, I fell an easy pray 

To doubt and baneful fear, which drove my peace away. 

Restore once more Thy gladsome spirit. 

My God, and fill again my life with joy, 
I pray with humble heart, relying on Christ's merit 

To plead this special grace. — Canst Thou employ 
This inept tongue of mine to sing Thy grace 

Most gladly will I voice Thine own unending praise. 



^£xpmmnB 



" They shall abundantly utter the memory of Thy great 

goodness." 

Psalm 7^5 / 7 



** Attb (iTlinr lEges Hrrr O^^j^nph txnh QII|pg Kn^m i|tm " 

Luke 24. : j2 

Did not our hearts within us burn 

As He to us the word made clear? 
O that again He might return. 

How strange He should to us appear 
And we not recognize His face 
So full of tenderness and grace. 

Remember'st thou how He drew near 

Just when we were in deepest gloom, 
How, when He joined us, all our fear 
Soon disappeared and in its room 
Arose anew a hopeful light, 
Life ne'er appeared to me as bright. 

Think, too, how kind He was and mild, 

How sympathetic with our grief 
Like as a father with his child. 

Though He reproved our unbelief 

Yet was it in such tender words 
As only purest love affords. 

These two, who walked to Emmaus 

With Christ, unknown, right at their side, 
Do they not call to mind in us 
Experiences which betide 

More than we think, each child of God? 
Christ being near, we know it not. 

49 



"3lt is (SooJi for 1h to If iJ^tvt " 

Mark 9 .• J 

O what rapture past comparing 

With the world's illusive joys 
Is one hour of sweet communion 

List'ning to my Saviour's voice ; 
With what gentle love He takes me 

Soothing my regrets and cares, 
Even discontents and murmurs 

With what tenderness He bears. 

When in struggling with temptation 

Oft my strength is sorely tried, 
What a comfort then in fleeing 

For a refuge to His side ; 
How my heart takes on new courage 

And my troubled soul finds rest, 
O these hours of sweet communion 

Are so wonderfully blest. 

That He asks me many questions, 

Which cut deep into my heart. 
Is not this, too, of His goodness 

But a necessary part? 
As the dresser of a vineyard 

Has to use a pruning-knife. 
So my Saviour aims in cutting 

But to make more rich my life. 



61 



When I think of all the sweetness, 

Which these hours with Him contain, 
In my heart springs up a longing 

It might ever so remain, — 
Yet I know that from the hill-top 

Christ to meet His death went down ; 
Should I then refuse to follow? 

By the cross one wins the crown. 

Some day — (whether soon or later 

Matters not) — God sets the time 
I shall enter yonder mansions 

Built of workmanship sublime, 
Then I shall meet with my Saviour 

In one long, unbroken stay 
With the sweetest heart-communion 

Never more to pass away. 



Psahn ji : 20 

In the secret of God's presence 

Sheltered in His loving arm, 
Hid away in His pavilion 

I am safe from sin and harm, 
There no trials may assail me, 

Satan's darts have lost their sting 
For I rest with quiet assurance 

'Neath my God's protecting wing. 

In the secret of God's presence 
* I can find such perfect rest. 

When without the storms are raging 

Here they cease at His behest. 
Thus my soul is steeped in quietness 

God's own peace fills me with joy, 
I forgot the little sorrows 

Which one's daily life annoy. 

In the secret of God's presence 

Is each failing grace renewed. 
With new strength for further conflict 

For each day I am endued, 
By the bread, with which He feeds me, 

I can go at His command. 
Finding springs of living water 

Even in the desert land. 

53 



In the secret of God's presence 

O how fain would I abide 
Fleeing from the daily turmoil, 
Nestling close at Jesus' side ; 
Still, if He sees fit to use me 

That by service I may grow, 
I dare not refuse to follow 

Where my Lord would have me go. 



54 



m Wtxr Moh^ " 

2 Corinthians 4 : 10 

"Not I but Christ." 
Amazing thought. I often wonder 

If ever I can say those words with perfect truth? 
As o'er the failures of my life I sadly ponder 

It crushes me to think, how oft I live a ruse : 
Professedly I follow Jesus' leading, 

In truth my own will mostly is supreme. 
And while at times His voice I have been heeding 

More frequently my ways I hold in most esteem. 

"Not I but Christ." 
I am persuaded — not profoundest learning 

But life itself taught Paul those solemn words, 
I own them true and more — am deeply yearning 

To be redeemed from self and quite the Lord's. 
How can I do it, how obtain the blessing? 

Shall I desist, since struggling seems in vain? 
Help me, O Christ, from self -life to be ceasing. 

To lose myself in Thee, and in Thee all to gain. 



65 



(Hamfavt 



" He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their 

wounds." 

Psalm i^-J : J 



"iln All ®l|ptr Amtrtuma i^t Wub KmtUh" 

Isaiah 6j : g 

In all afflictions and temptations 

Which often press God's people hard 
Not in mere silent contemplation 

But actively God takes a part, 
It may be past our understanding, 

Unfathomable mystery. 
Was not so, too, the wondrous sending 

Of God's own Son to Calvary? 

What made the Son of the Eternal 

To leave the glory of God's throne 
And brave the gates of the infernal 

To suffer and to die alone? 
Was it not pity for the helpless 

Who without hope were doomed to die 
If not the Saviour in His goodness 

Had answered their despairing cry? 

He came — He gave Himself a ransom 

And when He died on Calvary 
Lost mankind's wail turned to an anthem. 

The debt was paid and man went free ; 
The angels stood in adoration 

At such a wondrous, solemn scene. 
All heaven rang with acclamation 

When Christ defeated Death and Sin. 



59 



Yes — it is true that over yonder 

They do regard our earthly ways 
And often they must sadly wonder 

To see man, how he blindly strays, 
But when he turns, great joy is thrilling 

Through all the vast, seraphic throng 
Who heaven's vaults are gladly filling 

Once more with the Redemption-song. 

God, too, in all His matchless glory 

Takes notice of each man's designs. 
Did not the Master tell the story 

How that our Father longs and pines 
To see each erring child returning 

From barren fields of sin and shame 
And kept love ever brightly burning 

Until at last the wand'rer came? 

O depth of mercy — boundless loving 

To wretched and deep-fallen man. 
Which set the powers of heaven a-moving 

To work out God's eternal plan. 
Which He had made, ere the foundation 

Of this once perfect earth was laid, 
That we should be "heirs of salvation" 

With ev'ry claim of justice paid. 



60 



[0 Q^nvmh a Mint into a Jfnuntaut nf Hat^r ** 

Psahn 114. : 8 

Who but our God can turn a flint to water 
Or make a fountain from the solid rock? 

Who bids the tears, which oftentimes will gather, 
To disappear and helps me bear the shock 

Of unexpected sorrow, out of which He brings 

A blessing, well distilled, like mountain-springs. 

The Marah wells, which seemed so disappointing, 
So ill-prepared to quench my burning thirst. 

Did He not make them sweet? And the anointing 
Which He gave to mine eyes, when, at the first 

A blind man, I appealed to Him for aid, 

Was not His pow'r at once effective made? 

And yet withal men will go on pursuing 

To search for figs, where only thistles grow, 

With aching hearts they still are vainly hewing 
And carving fate, the end of which we know 

Is naught but sorrow, disappointment, grief. 
Even with success the pleasure is but brief. 

How different with him who gives the keeping 
Of his whole life into the Master's hands. 

With Him to guide, joy will come out of weeping. 
For ev'ry loss sustained He maketh full amends, 

His peace will last and satisfy and be 

A well-spring of pure joy to all eternity. 



61 



Hebrews 7 .• ^j 

Dost thou feel all but exhausted 

By the trials of the day? 
Has the joy, which but this morning 

Made thee gladsome, passed away? 
Does the struggle with temptation 

Seem to be thy daily part? 
Go to Jesus with thy sorrow 

Empty there thy burdened heart. 

Are thy nights devoid of quietness, 

Oft thy pillow moist with tears? 
Is the rest thou art so needing 

Broken in by doleful fears? 
Art thou worried, lest the morning 

Bring thee added grief and care? 
Anxious heart, then go to Jesus, 

Leave with Him all thy despair. 

For there is no earthly sorrow 

Which the Saviour could not heal. 

Having passed through our temptation 
Fully He for us can feel. 

He delights to help the wearied. 
Loves to set the captives free. 

Confidently bring thy burden 

He will surely succor thee. 



Jesus is the burden-bearer, 

He sustains each struggling soul, 
He binds up the broken-hearted, 

Makes the wounded spirit whole; 
In the place of bitter weeping 

He brings peace and sweet content, 
If thou trust Him, He will hide thee 

In the hollow of His hand. 



64 



** (Hotm f e Apart inta a i^a^rt piar? anJ> Efst Aml|tl^ ** 

Mark 6 : ji 

If we would get the greatest good 

Out of our intercourse with Christ, 
We must seek Him in solitude 

And suffer not to be enticed 
Away from Him by work or play 

But yield to Him our hearts entire. 
If at His feet we gently lay 

He soon will set our hearts afire. 

How comforting appears His voice, 

How strength-imparting are His words, 
Despair gives way to hallowed joys ; — 

The soul, responding to the chords 
Of heaven-born music, rests in peace 

When Christ Himself comes to the heart 
And by His presence brings release 

From all that makes life dull and hard. 

Lord, do Thou make us quiet and still. 

More teachable and less self-willed, 
More eager to fulfill Thy will, 

More longing to be spirit-filled, 
More willing to be naught, that Thou 

Within us All in All might'st be. 
If self rebels, teach Thou us how 

To conquer self and rest in Thee. 



®r«Ht 



" They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, 

which abide th forever." 

Psalm 125 : i 



" ©ruat in tl}t i£orh mttl| All olljitt? iJ^mtt ' 

Proverbs j : j-6 

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart 

And lean not on thy understanding; 
The ivy when it grows apart 

Creeps on the ground, forever bending 
To ev'ry gust of wind and storm : 

But when its roots embrace the oak, 
Once with its tendrils fastened there 

Then it defies the mightiest shock 
Of any tempest and can bear 

The stormiest day in perfect form. 

So, too, is man, so weak and frail 

That to each tempest he is bowing 
Unless he does himself avail 

Of higher strength and is allowing 
God in His might to work through him. 

The man who makes the Lord his hope 
Who clings to Him in weal and woe 

Has a sure path (where others grope) 
Ev'n though the end he may not know 

He has a light which nought can dim. 



Happy the man, who early learns 

What blessings lie in true believing, 
Whose spirit for comnmnion yearns 

With God, and thus keeps on receiving 
The comforts of Omnipotence. 

Each day shall bring him added grace, 
A constant peace must fill his soul, 

He sees God's leadings interlace 
Life's tangled meshes to a whole. 

His will with God's completely blends. 



70 



A Parapl|raae of Paalm 23 

My shepherd-friend is Jesus, 

He bought me for His own 
And since He found me, leaveth 

Me nevermore alone. 
He guides me in green pastures 

By waters cool and still, 
Gives me undreamed-of raptures, 

With joy He makes me thrill. 

My shepherd-friend is Jesus, 

How loving-kind is He, 
All dread for ever ceases 

When to His side I flee ; 
When I was bruised and failing 

He then restored my soul, 
Relieved me of my ailing 

And made me strong and whole. 

My shepherd-friend is Jesus, 

There's nothing now I fear. 
The spectre " Death " releases 

His hold, when Christ draws near, 
The grave is but a portal 

To mansions ever fair, 
My dream of joys immortal 

Finds its fulfilment there. 



ri 



My shepherd-friend is Jesus, 

How botmteous His store, 
His goodness never ceases, 

My cup is running o'er. 
Each day He fresh anointeth 

Me with His oil of joy, 
My table He appointeth 

With generous supply. 

My shepherd-friend is Jesus, 

His mercy follows me, 
My love to Him increaseth 

The more of Him I see. 
Naught shall henceforth me sever 

From One so full of love 
Till I shall dwell forever 

In yonder home above. 



72 



"(flar^at (H^m Not ©I|at M? fmB\}?** 

Mark 4 : 38 

" Does He not care for all our frightful anguish? 

See, how He sleeps despite the howling storm. 
O Jesus, Master, help or else we perish." 

Then from His pillow rose the gentle form 
Of the Redeemer and He quietly says : 

"Why do ye fear? O ye of little faith." 

With Him for our companion in life's journey 

There's naught to dread, He quiets the wildest sea. 

If thou art staggered by the sight before thee 
Go to the Lord with thy anxiety ; 

The winds and waves bow to His holy will. 

Storms must subside, when He says: " Peace, be still." 

Oh, for more faith to trust the Master's guidance, 

To calmly rest, depending on His care. 
Would it not mean a blissful, sweet avoidance 

Of most the burdens, which we often bear 
Because we fail to exercise our faith 

Nor yet avail us of His strength and grace? 



73 



Romans 4 : 21 

Soul, dost thou fear, lest God should not be able 
The promise to perform, which He has made? 

Is to thy mind God's word, like man's, unstable? 
Has yet He failed in aught which He has said? 

Then why not leave thy doubts and rest content, 

That He both can and will to all thy needs attend? 

Thy doubting heart robs thee of all the pleasure. 

The perfect peace, which comes from child-like faith, 

Compared to it there is no earthly treasure 

Which this sweet gift not utterly outweighs ; 

Our sin condoned, how does our life grow fair 

When at the cross we leave our load of anxious care. 

If God has sent His Son for our redemption 

Would He withhold aught else we might require? 

He will not pass us in our destitution 

Nor leave unsatisfied our heart's desire, 

When in the name of Christ we ask in faith 

We shall not ask in vain for any needed grace. 



75 



MtUttxtxan 

" My meditation of Him shall be sweet." 
Psalm lO/j. : j^ 



Hebrews j : 6 

The Master's house, in which He loves to dwell, 

Is not the palace, reared of precious stones. 
Nor yet the temple, from whose spire the bell 

At noon and night sweet melody intones, 
Not in cathedrals, built o'er sacred shrines 

In Bethlehem, nor Calvary, nor Rome 
Or other places, which our thought entwines 

With sacred halo, is the Master's home. 

His house are we — He dwells within the soul 

Of any, who with broken, contrite heart 
Will ask Him to come in ; — this is the goal 

Which to obtain from heaven Christ did part ; 
To win these hearts, so weak and yet so dear 

Is what unto the cross our Saviour drove — 
Now having gained us. He would draw us near 

To make our hearts a temple of His love. 



79 



" 31 Wiii IfttBtrurt M}tt atti ©rarlj ®l|f in tl|? 

Psahn j2 : 8 

Sometimes, when in the weaving of our earthly fabric 

The warp and woof appear a tangled mass, 
When we are tempted to grow faint and heartsick 

Not knowing how this trial we shall pass — 
'Tis but that God, in His great loving-kindness 

May more effectively this Truth on us impress : 
That He will guide us and to Him our blindness 

Is but an added claim. His child the more to bless. 

But ere He does, we must become quite willing 

To trust for guidance to His Master-skill, 
Not until then will peace our souls be filling 

Till we resign ourselves entirely to His will; 
As long as we retain, in whole or part, the choosing 

Of the direction which our life shall take. 
We are still unfit for the Master's using, 

Shall we not then a full surrender make? 

When it is done, what rapture, what assurance, 

What joy, what bliss, what holy calm and peace. 
What strength for service, courage for endurance. 

Our fears subside, our questionings will cease, 
All this, because we wholly give the keeping 

Of all we have, and are, and hope to be 
Into the Saviour's hands and quietly go on reaping 

The fruits of faith to all eternity. 

81 



" For » iKttiim w l?art " 

I Corinthians ij : g 

We only know in part — 

With patient faith we wait the coming- day 
When God will deign clear vision to impart 

And from our eyes the veil shall take away. 
Then shall we see, not only in reflection 

As from a mirror, which but dimly shows, 
But the reality, — the wonderful perfection 

Of all the gifts, which God on us bestows. 

We only know in part — 

But judging from the fraction which we know 
May we not reason, that the loving Heart 

Which faltered not to send His Son below 
To die upon the cross for our redemption 

Will, with Him, give us ev'ry needed grace? 
Faith in God's promise and not bold presumption 

Enables us as " sons" to claim our place. 

We only know in part — 

But what we know sufifices for our peace. 
When trials come, we simply draw apart 

To our Lord's cross, to find there sweet release. 
What boundless comfort, which the knowledge giveth 

That Christ did die and rise, to set us free. 
That as our Advocate He henceforth ever liveth. 

Is not this part enough for you and me? 



" M^ W^lp CUom^tlj from tlj? ICorb " 

Psalm 121 : 2 

Shall I lift Up mine eyes unto the hills 

Where countless temples to the gods are raised, 

Or look to Him, whose loving-kindness fills 

The world with beauty, whose great glory blazed 

All through the night, in myriads of stars? 

For God, nor time nor space forms any bars 
To His display of might. 

Shall I continue to dig for the well 

Of peace and joy in earth's poor barren soil. 

Instead of asking God my thirsty soul to fill 

With pleasures that will last, which my own toil 

Could never win? These fly as does the dew 

Before the brilliant sun, when it appears anew 
At early break of day. 

Shall I for comfort in my sorrow go 

To earthly friends, well-meaning as they are? 
Or ask that closer Friend, that He bestow 

His soothing balm and hush the war 
And bitter conflict of my troubled soul 

By teaching me, my burdens all to roll 
On Him who knows to heal? 



And when at last I near my journey's end, 

My sight grows dim, my tongue shall speechless be 

Whom will I then ask me His aid to lend 
And help me go across the untried sea? 

Is it not God alone, who then can bring 
Effective aid against the cruel sting 

Of death and guide me home? 



86 



K^mvmtt 



" Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor 

sleep." 
Psalm 121 : ^ 



** Olall ta St^m^mhranre % Matmn Saga " 

Hebrews jo : j2 

Call to remembrance oft the former days 

When in the present thou art sore perplexed, 
Think of God's leadings, — how in all thy ways 

Thy strength has never yet been overtaxed, 
How with each trial which has come to thee, 

God always made a way for thy relief, 
And in the hours which darkest seemed to be 

He turned to sunshine, by His grace, thy grief. 

Call to remembrance oft the former days, 

'Twill cheer thee in the struggle of to-day, 
If now perchance thy future like a maze 

Looks doubtful and thou canst not see a way 
Out of its toils ; — then let thy mem'ry fly 

Back to God's dealings in thy earlier years, 
A ray of hope will quickly light thine eye 

And faith in God will soon dispel thy fears. 

Call to remembrance oft the former days, 

Think not of danger, but of battles won, 
Not at thy cross, but upwards fix thy gaze 

And with firm courage press to vict'ry on ; 
He who has been thy helper in the past 

Will with His might thy future too sustain, 
In all thy weakness He will hold thee fast 

And help thee to the end, thy crown to gain. 



" ©Ije ^£avh Will fnfett Olliat lW|irIj (Konr^nt^tli Mt 

Psabn 138 : 8 

The Lord will perfect that 

(Whate'er it be) which me concerns, 
Ev'n though I know not "what" 

Or "how" or "when." His wisdom turns 
My life in channels, which to me seem strange. 

Nor would myself I choose. 
I quietly trust, that His all-seeing range 

Of vision will cause Him to use 
Those very means, which as He knows 

Will best promote my usefulness and growth. 

What if my God shall use 

Refining fire, my life to purge? 
Shall I such time refuse 

To acquiesce? — with mournful dirge 
Sit down with such as rue their luckless birth 

And call life all a void? 
Ah, no, indeed. I look upon this earth 

As on a school, to be employed 
In fitting me by slow degrees 

For work or waiting, as the Lord may please. 

91 



How glad I am to learn 

As says this psalm, that in my life 
Jehovah takes concern; — 

He gives the strength for daily strife 
Commensurate with what each hour requires. 

And though without avail 
I try to do what most my heart desires, 

I am not downcast when I fail. 
In reading this, my faith returns, 

" God will perfect what ever me concerns." 



92 



Hebreius yj .• 6 

The Lord is my helper — what a comfort to know, 

For whenever temptations abound 
I need never have fear, that they can lay me low 

While beneath His protection I'm found; 
The tempests may storm, persecutions may rage 

Though ten thousand may fall at my side, 
Till it pleases my Saviour the storm to assuage 

I shall still in His shelter abide. 

The Lord is my helper — what a strength is the thought! 

What a storehouse for courage and might ! 
After many a struggle, most bitterly fought, 

I might shrink to continue the fight; 
But with God as my ally, the vict'ry is sure 

Whosoe'er the opponent may be, 
Nor is it a question if I can endure, 

For I know God is fighting for me. 

The Lord is my helper — what a glorious thing ! 

What distinction ! What honor ! What bliss ! 
When troubles befall me, I am told them to bring 

To my God, who will view them as His. 
O how easy for Him, who is mighty in strength 

To bring peace out of weakness and loss. 
To ease my afflictions and to turn them at length 

Into joy by His sanctified cross. 



" ICn. 3f Am mitl| f ou AUwuhb " 

Matthew 28 : 20 

Weak is thy faith? In spite of all thy yearning 

For perfect trust and an abiding peace 
Thou feel'st, at times, within thy heart yet burning 

Unholy fire, which makes thy love decrease ; 
In thy despair thou hast with Paul been crying : 

" O wretched man, who me can help afford? " 
Yet victory, through Christ, within thy reach was lying : 

" Lo, I am with you always," says the Lord. 

Dark is thy road? Each footstep, oh, how weary. 

No friendly light to guide thee on the way? 
E'en though there be no pitfalls, yet how dreary 

Appears the path — how apt one is to stray. 
No wonder thou art faint, and worn, and fearful. 

Tempted to yield and give way to despair. 
But be assured, although thy nights are tearful, 

Yet Christ is with you always, even there. 

Faint is thy strength? — then in thy very weakness 

Lies the assurance of superior strength, 
When thou hast spent thyself and learned with meekness 

How vain thy efforts, — then it is at length 
That God can work in thee His perfect pleasure. 

With His own might He then will thee endue 
And make thee know what an unbounded treasure 

Lies in that word : — Dear child, I am with you. 



95 



^nbm 



"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 
Psalm 126 : 5 



Galatians 6:2 

We pass each other on the road, 
We smile, we give a gentle nod 

And wend our way, 
But could we see beneath the vail. 
What makes the other's heart to quail, 

We would obey 
The nobler dictates of our soul 
To help some load away to roll 

That very day. 

We meet some mendicant and throw 
A dole, our sympathy to show. 

But never ask 
Where lies the root of all his grief 
For fear, that likely his relief 

Might be our task 
And thus withhold the greater bliss 
That in God's sunlight he and his 

Again might bask. 

Perhaps 'tis best, we cannot see 
Into each well of misery, 

'Twould break our heart, 
But whereso'er God lets our eye 
Perceive a need, there we should try, 

However hard. 
To enter in another's woes. 
He does it best, who truly knows 

Love to impart. 



'* ^t <^mi ta So^rg Matt, ArrortJut^ to ^\B Ability ** 

Matthew 23 : ij 

Is it one talent only, which to thee is left 

To care, develop, multiply and use? 
Be thou not envious at the one, whose gift 
Is greater than thine own, nor yet refuse 
To labor loyally with what thou hast. 
No work for God will ever stay unblest. 

If little be thy strength, do not therefore refrain 

From putting forth thy efforts day by day, 
It matters not, how small may be thy gain 
But do not let thy talent idle lay. 

To him who hath, the Lord still more shall add 
But who hath not, shall lose e'en that he had. 

The Master, whom we serve, is in His dealings just 

And takes account of our endeavors too, 
E'en though we fail, He still most generous 
Rewards our efforts, if they were but true : 

When at the last the reck'ning-time shall come 
We too shall share the joys of harvest-home. 



101 



I Tkessalonza?ts 2 : 18 

"Ofttimes," wrote Paul, "has it been my intent 

To visit you, but Satan blocked the road;" 
Thus too with us — our minds were often bent 

To do some worthy deed — to lift a load 
Or ease at least some neighbor's irksome fate 

And then we found that Satan interposed, 
We pondered, reasoned, waited, till too late 

And when we tried, the door of hope was closed. 

How many gracious acts are left undone ! 

How much of cheer and hope remains unsaid ! 
The chance to help, before we stir, is gone 

And when we move, obstruction has been made : 
For now, as then, it is the Devil's aim 

To keep us out of service for the King — 
Some he beguiles and others scares with shame, 

While all to worldliness he tries to bring. 

Must we infer, that we are powerless 

Against the wiles of the infernal thing? 
Shall we surrender and thereby confess 

There is no hope against the tempter's sting? 
Was Paul's grand paean but an empty dream? 

A fancy-myth his " more than conqueror" ? 
Or did not he it as a Truth esteem : 

" There stood with me the Lord, my Saviour "? 

103 



Lord, open Thou our eyes, cause us to see 

There are more with us, than the hosts of hell 
Can muster to defeat us — they will flee, 

When but of " Jesus " they will hear us tell; 
His is the name in which our power lies, 

His cross our symbol. He Himself our shield; 
No matter what assaults the devil tries, 

Through faith in Christ we always win the field. 



104 



I Corinthians 75- : ^8 

Steadfast the Lord would have us be, 

Not wand'ring like a summer-cloud 
Or like some helpless wreck at sea 

Which aimlessly is tossed about. 
When with a settled, stable mind. 

We keep our goal in constant view 
In loving service we shall find 

A source of joy, pure, rich and true. 

Unmoveable should we remain 

Though trials may our path beset, 
The victor's crown we shall obtain 

If fearlessly the foe is met ; — 
What if perchance our days are drear 

The goal seem quite beyond our reach — 
At such a time it grows more clear 

That Christ supplies His strength to each. 

Abounding always in the work 

Entrusted to us by the Lord, 
Each day a fresh advance should mark. 

Some new-found treasure in His word ; 
Then, if we by His help succeed 

Some straying brother to regain, 
How comforting the thought, how sweet: 

Our labor has not been in vain. 

105 



iit0atottarg 



"Thy people offer themselves willingly, in the day of 

Thy power, in holy array." 

Psalm no : J 



Acis 1 6 : 9 

'Twas but a vision which one certain night 

Appeared to Paul, while he in Troas lay 
In earnest prayer, that God would give him light 

To which new province he should make his way. 
'Twas but a vision, but no human act. 

No royal mandate, no ingenious thought 
Has been more fruitful than this night's impact 

On Paul's keen mind and the effect it wrought. 

'Twas but a vision, but it changed the fate 

Of ancient Greece with its philosophy. 
The roadways of imperial Rome were made 

By it broad conduits for the spread of liberty ; 
The temples of the gods from that hour came to nought 

And in their place the cross rose to the skies. 
Who (but one God-inspired) could in that day have thought 

How wide a realm should from Paul's vision rise. 

'Twas but a vision, but it led him on 

To enter on a sphere of even greater toil. 
Who counts the jewels, which he sought and won, 

The captives, whom for Christ he made a spoil? 
When in our final home we round God's throne shall stand, 

Shall we not rise and bless that fateful night 
Which led Christ's servant from his native land 

To win fair Europe for the gospel-light? 

109 



'Twas but a vision, but the end who knows? 

Who but the Lord Jehovah sees it all? 
In its effects Paul's gospel ever grows 

Ev'n as his life continues as a call 
For us, to join in service to the King, 

To count our wisdom, gifts — yea, ev'rything a loss 
Which we should gladly as a tribute bring 

And in their place take up the Master's cross. 

How strange a vision ! Look there ! yonder stands 

One like unto the risen Son of man. 
See, how He beckons! Mark the nail-scarred hands; 

His flaming eyes seem all His church to scan — 
"Are there not more in all this blood-bought throng, 

(He seems to say) to save the starving host 
Of countless millions, which to Me belong? 

Will ye stand idle, while the world is lost? " 



110 



Hebrews u : 2j 

"As seeing Him who is not seen, 

Enduring all, these walked by faith." 
No finer epitaph has been 

By poets penned in epic lays. 
In grandeur and simplicity 
These words will stand eternally. 

Esteeming the reproach of Christ 

As far surpassing all the wealth 
Of treasure, which the ancients prized. 

They lived like hunted game, by stealth. 
The howling wilderness their home, 
By faith they saw a Heav'n to come. 

Afflictions, if decreed by God, 

They rather chose, than to forswear 
Their souls' belief, and though their lot 
Was oft a grievous one to bear 

They quenched the thought of misery 
In glorious strains of victory. 

They saw, while yet the veil was drawn. 

Dimly indeed, yet clear to faith. 
Through pagan night the coming dawn, 
Messiah's reign of Truth and Grace ; 

With God's word for an anchor sure 
They were prepared all to endure. 

in 



Comparing these of former days 

With our poor race, so weak and frail, 
What pigmies are we ! O that grace 

Restored the faith, which seems to fail, 
In these last days, that we might see 
The ' ' Unseen One" in verity. 



112 



Psalm 126 : 6 

He that goest forth with weeping 
E'en in tears on service bent, 
In due time shall share the reaping 
When the summer-days are spent, 

When the seed, in spring-time sown, 
To maturity has grown. 

Bearing seed, which one may scatter 
In the world's great needy waste, 
Here and there a word to utter 

By which new hope may be raised 

In some sin-stained, anxious heart, 
Is not that our glorious part? 

Harvest-time will soon be nearing. 

Shall we too come with our sheaves, 
Or must we make our appearing 

Bringing naught but useless leaves? 
Lord, make Thou us wise to sow 
And in fruitfulness to grow. 



113 



'* A0 fta fart 31a ©lyat O^optlj In % lattb, ^o i'lyall 
f ia fart 1? ©lyat ®armtl| b^ % i'tuff " 

/ Samuel 30 : 24 

Compelled to wait 
Inactively, when one would fain be moving, 

When every nerve with energy is twinged 
To sit here by the stuff and think of others roving 
In loyal service, or in battle plunged, 
What direful fate. 

Compelled to wait: 
Let those best able bravely keep pursuing. 

Like David's men, the God-defying host. 
But those who wait should their less brilliant doing 
Not useless call, nor count their service lost. 
Nor mourn their fate. 

Compelled to wait — 
'* These men remained and missed the battle 

By standing guard. Which of them did recoil 
From war-like work? " Thus David hushed the prattle 
Of those, who selfishly laid claim to all the spoil 
Of captured plate. 

For those who wait 
Another king once said (he never wore a crown 

But such as mark the galaxy of men 
Whom Freedom's sons in ev'ry age will own) : 

"We too may serve our God — yea, even when 
We stand and wait." 

115 



Yes ! We must wait 
Till He who knows the end from the beginning, 

Who weighs the thought of man as well as deed, 
Shall set some prize, adapted to our winning ; 
That is our time ; — till then it is but meet 
That we should wait. 

Said you to wait? 
Naught else? Can nothing I be doing 

To show my love to Him, who gave Himself for me? 
Yes ! ' ' watch and pray " and quietly go pursuing 

The path, which God shall choose, the straightest road 
for thee, 
To heaven's gate. 



116 



®Ij^ doming (lUirg 

"With gladness and rejoicing shall they be led, they shall 

enter into the King's palace. 

Psalm /j-S : 15 



Ro7nan 8 : J&jg 

" I am persuaded, neither Death, nor Life, 

Nor Spirits, which in unseen form may move. 

Nor present things, nor things yet to arrive. 

Nor heights, nor depths shall keep me from God's love. 

Thus the Apostle. What a glorious faith. 

" In all things I am more than conqueror; 
Who is it, that a charge against me lays 

Which is not paid for by my Saviour? " 

" Who will condemn, where God has justified? 

Who separates me from the Saviour's love? 
Who since He rose, sits yonder glorified 

To plead and intercede for me above." 

" What shall we say," asks he, "to these great things? 

If God be for us, who will dare resist? " 
This triumph-song through earth and heaven rings. 

Its wondrous theme may well our praise enlist. 



119 



Psabn ij : ij 

" I will behold thy face in righteousness, 

I shall be satisfied, when I awake." 
While here my soul is still held in duress 

But when at last my homeward flight I take 
When I shall enter through yon pearly gate 

Unto the throne of wondrous, radiant light. 
When at His feet my talent I have laid. 

Then, then at last, I shall be satisfied. 

The glimpses of my Saviour's loveliness 

Which He at times reveals here to my heart. 
The proofs He gives me of His tenderness, 

How sweet they seem, yet are they but a part, 
A fraction, earnest, foretaste of the grace 

Which then shall burst on my enraptured sight, 
Loveliest of all, my dear Redeemer's face, 

With that, at last, I shall be satisfied. 

Like as a bride will only rest content 

When in her bridegroom's eyes she reads his love, 
Nor messages nor gifts which he may send 

Can for his absence quite a solace prove. 
So, too, I long for my dear Lord's return 

To stay henceforth forever at His side. 
No more to weep — to watch — to wait — to yearn. 

But just to be completely satisfied. 

121 



** H^motip tl|p Stab^m. Sake aft t^t (Erouin .... Until 

Esekiel 21 : 26-2^ 

Remove the diadem from kingly brow 

Until He come, whose sovereign right it is — 
To whom, when He appears, all knees shall bow, 

Each tongue confess, that all the world is His. 
The symbols of imperial earthly power 

Shall all be thrown at Jesus' pierced feet. 
The royal standards of the world must lower 

Before the One for whom the throne is meet. 

The emblem of the right to rule, the crown, 

Belongs to Him, who once on Calv'ry died, 
When from the Cross they took the Saviour down 

'Twas but to show God's pre-determined might. 
That rock-hewn grave could nevermore retain 

The King of Kings, God's chosen Prince of Life, 
His kingdom's birth no power could restrain. 

Triumphant He emerged a victor from the strife. 

The Conqueror's crown, who has to it more right 

Than He who gained the final victory. 
Whose resurrection ended Satan's might. 

Who brought us Life and Immortality? 
Both Death and Hell must flee at His approach 

As does the night at rising of the sun, 
Whate'er attempts on His realm to encroach 

Shall crumble into dust, before the Mighty One. 

123 



Yes! He must reign till ev'ry foe is down, 

Beneath His feet the enemy is crushed, 
Then we shall see Him in His kingly crown 

With all creation in deep silence hushed. 
Hark ! Hear the trump ! 'Tis Gabriel's clarion blast, 

The proclamation of the Saviour's reign ! 
May it be ours, when that day comes at last 

To join our voice in the seraphic strain. 



124 



With IttB §>tm?" bg C J. 1^, BpxtU, 1. i. 

Translated from the German by G. R. W. 

How will it be, when past this earthly struggle 

Our final foe at last shall conquered be? 
When from afar we enter in our homeland 

And all its glories shall unfolded see? 
When for the last time we have wiped the traces 

Of painful sorrow from our wearied face 
And with uncovered eyes shall be beholding 

Our Saviour there in all His wondrous grace? 

How will it be, when we at last may follow 

The long-felt yearning of our beating heart? 
When for its journey to the upper mansion 

The liberated soul may from its body part? 
When from these mortal eyes the veil is lifted 

Like fog shall vanish in the morning sun 
And we shall recognize in His majestic fulness 

Our Saviour as God's ever blessed-Son? 

How will it be, when we shall hear His calling: 

" Come, O ye blessed — enter to your rest." 
When at God's throne in adoration falling. 

The hands we see, which have so often blessed? 
Shall look into the eyes, whence tears were flowing 

So oft, because of man's perversity? 
Into the wounds, from which the blood came pouring 

When at the cross He died to make us free? 



125 



How will it be? That which is past conceiving, 

What never ear has heard, nor eye could see. 
What faith alone revealed to the believing 

Will then become a blest reality. 
Then let us gladly still keep on pursuing 

The narrow path, however rough and steep, 
Each day the struggle bravely keep renewing — 

Soon comes the time, when our reward we reap. 



126 



"C'NCHANTING Northfield, how thy sight instills 

Ecstatic joy into the hearts of those 
Whose open soul responsively yet thrills 

At Nature's call. Peace and sweet repose 
Envelop seemingly thy very atmosphere, 
And fitting symbol of delightful rest appear 
Thy wood-clad hills. 

TT'AR from the mountain-ridge winds like a dream 
Sparkling with light, in ever-changing course. 
Our lovely river. Its reflections gleam 

In brilliant hues and prove a fruitful source 
To blithsome fancy's play, for all life's varied moods 
Are read within the rippling, joyous-seeming floods 
Of our broad stream. 

/"^NE may not stop to picture all thy wealth 

Of beauty, lest some stranger think the reahrjs 
Of fancy have been drawn upon in stealth ; 

Hence we let Nature speak — she overwhelms 
By her own charms. Above the reach of mortals' praise 
She points us silently to view- her stately grace 
In Northfield's elms. 

A SENSE of quietude pervades the scene. 

Not sleepy dullness, but that blissful rest, 
Which men will crave, who have most active been 

In meeting duty's call, and who their best 
Have done to use the talents, which the Master gave. 
In seeking added strength, life's future work to brave 
Such here are blest. 

A T either village end — placed there by friends 
Of worthy deeds — one finds a carven stone. 
Both marks of that for which dear Northfield stands. 

The one records where service first was done ; 
The other tells of one, who here was born and raised, 
Whose fame, in living form, can never be effaced, 
His work goes on. 



MAY as 1909 



IIMIIIIIIIIUH 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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